Wichita, KS – As Kansas families gather for Thanksgiving, state health officials are warning of a silent, invisible killer that could be circulating indoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) say radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, poses a major threat to residents — particularly during winter months when homes are closed up against the cold.
Radon is produced when uranium in soil and rock naturally breaks down, releasing gas that seeps into homes through cracks, drains, and foundation joints. Because it’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless, most families don’t know they’re being exposed.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the country, responsible for over 21,000 deaths each year. Kansas is among the highest-risk states in the nation — with nearly half of all homes testing above the EPA’s danger threshold of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Testing is the only way to detect radon. Short-term radon kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the Kansas Radon Program, cost less than $25 and take only a few days to complete. If results come back high, licensed mitigation professionals can install systems that reduce radon levels by up to 90%.
“Radon is silent, odorless, and deadly — but it’s 100% preventable,” CDC officials said. “Testing your home this Thanksgiving could protect your family for years to come.”
With families across Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park gathering indoors for the holiday, health experts urge residents to make radon testing part of their home safety checklist before this invisible killer lingers into the new year.
